Electron discharge device system



Feb. 29, 1944; H..E. GoLDsTINE 2,342,897

ELECTRON DISCHARGE DEVICE SYSTEM orgihal 4Filed Aug, .10, 1959 5 sneeuw-sheet 1 HALLAN l."r GULDST INE ATTORNEY.

Feb. 29, 1944. H. E. GoLDs-rlNE 2,342,897

`LEC'IROI DISCHARGE kIDEVICE SYSTEM Original Filed Aug. lO, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I NV EN TOR. ALLA/v E. 6oz psr/NE l BY f A TTORNE Y.

Feb. 29, 1944. H. E. GoLDsTlNE 2,342,897l

ELECTRON DISCHARGE DEVICE SYSTEM Original Filed Aug. lO, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 A TTORN E Y.

Feb. 29, 1944. H. E. GoLDsTlNE 2,342,897

I ELECTRON DISCHARGE DEVICE SYSTEM Original Filed Aug. lO,A 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 4- l-s L#38 40 10mi- 40 40 INVENTOR.

7 E f 7 HAuA/v E. GoLosT/NE I l BY c ATTORNEY.

Fell 2 9, 1944 n H.*E. GoLDsTlNE 2,342,897

I ELECTRQN DISCHARGE DEVICE SYSTEM Original Filed Aug. 10, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 r HEATER/n* 47 .SUPPLY INVENTOR. IIA/.LAN E. GOLDST/NE BY .Wig/@M ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 29, 1944 UNITED 2,342,897 n i nLEcTnoN Discmans Device sfrs'rEM Hallan Eugene Goldstlne, Port Jefferson, N. Y.. assignor to Radio Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware l Original application August 10,-1939, Serial No.

289,337, now Patent No. 2,252,370, dated August 12, 1941. Divided and this application July 1, 1941, Serial No. 400,578

somma. (ci. o-eas) i This invention is a division of my application Serial N0. 289,337, med August 10, 1939, 110WA llznited States Patent 2,252,370, granted August The invention relates to ultraohigh frequency electron discharge device systems; In particular, the invention relates to an ultra high frequency oscillation generation system and to an efficient mechanical construction for the same.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a construction for an ultra high frequency oscillator system which ls suitable for use on frequencies of the order of 500 megacycles, wherein one or several vacuum tubes may be employed depending on the power output desired.

Another object is to provide a novel mechanical construction for an ultra high frequency system which minimizes the inductance of the connec-f tionsto the vacuum tube electrodes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a highly eiliclent ultra short wave l'generator circuit employing a vacuum tube having a plurality of leads for each of the grid and anode electrodes.

Another object is to provide means for making most effective use of vacuum tubes in which a plurality of leads -are provided for each of the electrodes which carry radio frequency currents.

Although the present invention is hereinafter described in connection with electron discharge devices of the triode type whose grid and anode electrodes each have a pair of terminal connections or leads extending from opposite sides of the envelope, it shouldbe distinctly understood that the invention is not limited to the use merely of a pair of such leads for each electrode since obviously more than two leads can be used for each of the electrodes.

-A feature lof the invention relates to the mechanical constructions for deriving outputpower,

` and to the arrangements for grouping a plurality of the vacuum tubes in parallel with a minimum of inductance in the electrode connections.

' The novel constructional arrangement of the,`

invention as herein described has been successfully used in generating power at 500 megacycles. although it will be understood that the various elements thereof as well as the circuit as? a whole may be used in other circuit schemes.

In one embodiment of the invention there are employed a plurality of electron discharge devices of the vacuum tube type wherein the grid and anode of each device are each provided with a plurality of terminal connections and there is coupled to these terminal connections a low loss tank circuit. Tuning meansare provided in the nlament circuits of the vacuumtubes.

The following. is a detailed description of the invention in conjunction with drawings, wherein the same reference numerals are usedthroughout the figures to designate the same parts.

Fig. l is a schematic circuit diagram of an ultra high frequency oscillator system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention employing a single resonant concentric line to controlthe frequencies of a plurality ofjvacuum 'tubes in electrically parallel relation, and another resonant concentric line in common with the niaments of these parallel connected tubes;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the .complete mechanical construction employedfor the oscillator system of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of any quarter of the mechanical construction oi Fig. 2, it being understood that all quarters are alike; f t v Fig. 4 is a section of Fig. 2 along the line Q-I;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a filamentV coupling loop employed for each vacuum tube in the system of Figs.'1 and 2;

Fig. 6 is a section of a unit employed in the mechanical construction for accommodating` the grid `cholre coil and anode sleeve connection for` each vacuum tube oscillator;

-Fig. 7 is a schematic circuit diagram of' another embodiment of the invention employing individual concentric lines for tuning the filaments of the vacuum tube oscillators: 5

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of any quarter of the complete mechanical construction for the circuit of Fig. 7, it being understood that all quarters are alike;

Fig. 9 is a rear elevation of any quarter of the complete mechanical construction for the circuit of Fig.7;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side view of the mechanical construction for Fig. 7, showing in section details of one of the individual filament concentric lines. In effect, Fig. 10 shows half of the construction of Fig. 4. modied .to omit the common outer concentric line and to include the individual concentric line; and

Fig. ll is a section of one of the filament conis generally of the ty`pe described in the article by Clarence W. Hansell, published in the A. I. E. E., Transactions of August, 1935, pages 852 to 857. Each vacuum tube oscillator comprises an anode 5, a control electrode or grid 6, and a lilament 1, to the grid of which is connected a tuned U-shaped loop, herein designated schematically as 3. The terminals for the anode and grid electrodes of each of these vacuum tubes extend from these electrodes through opposite sides of the envelope, so as to minimize lead connections, while the filament leads of each vacuum tube extend through one end of the envelope. The general configuration of these vacuum tubes l, 4 are shown in more detail in Fig. 2, which will be described later. The grid circuits of the vacuum tubes are by-passed to ground by capacitors I, I and supplied with suitable negative direct current bias through choke coils l, I which, taken together with capacitors I0, Il form filters for preventing radio frequency fluctuations on the grids from entering the direct current power supply. The anodes of the vacuum tubes are grounded for radio frequency energy by means of by-pass capacitors II, II. The filaments of the vacuum tubes are all coupled in common through loops I2, I2 to a single concentric line formed from the outer surface of conductor 2 and a surrounding cylindrical conductor I3. 'I'he active parts of the filaments are maintained at a radio frequency potential and Y this potential is determined by means of tuning the filament reactance. I'he center of each filament is coupled to ground through a capacitor I6 which serves to tune out the reactance of the filament leads. The outer legs of each filament are by-passed to the loop I2 and thence to ground, while heating energy for the filament is obtained from leads I1 which extend through the loop I2, as shown. In this way the filament of each tube floats above ground potential. From what has been stated above, it will be apparent that the low loss resonant line I, 2 is the frequency stabilizing tank circuit for all vacuum tubes, and

that the filament tuning circuit constitutes in 45 An advantage of the arrangement of the inven- 50 tion is that the oscillation generation system will function even though one or more of the vacuum tubes fail to function.

Output energy from the'oscillation generation system is derived from loop I4 coupled to the 55 common filament concentric line. Condenser I5 located across the conductors 2, I3 of the filament concentric line serves to tune the filament concentric line to the operating frequency.

The mechanical details of the construction embodying the circuit of Fig. 1 are shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the complete mechanical construction of the oscillation generation system, while Fig. 4 is a section of Fig. 2 along line 4-4, showing in detail the construction of the two resonant concentric lines.

Fig. 2 shows clearly the general arrangement of the preferred form of vacuum tubes 4, 4, each of which has two anode prongs A and two grid prongs G. Only two of the four vacuum tubes 4, I have been shown in Fig. 2 in order to simplify the drawings and to better show the details of the mechanical construction. The anode the face or end plate I3 (note Fig. 4) which end plate couples together the inner and outer conductors I. 2 and 2, I3 (note Fig. 4). The vacuum tubes are mounted on metallic strips I8, Il arranged around a circle and insulated from each other and from the end plate I9. The metallic strips I3, I8 are insulated for anode direct-current voltage from end plate I9 by thin mica sheets, thus forming radio frequency by-pass condensers to maintaimthese strips at very low radio frequency potential. Each strip Il is provided with an indented portion in its center to permit the vacuum tube to be mounted as near to the end plate I8 as possible. Screws ZII, 20 located within insulatlngbushings serve to securely mount the strips Il, Il upon the end plate. The two anode terminals or prong clips for each vacuum tube are in direct current conductive engagement with the strip I8 accommodating the vacuum tube. The two grid 'terminals for each vacuum tube are insulated from the strip Il and from the end plate I3 and are connected together in the interior of the concentric line I,

2 by means of a sector shaped metallic plate 2I which is folded over in the form of a right angle to constitute the loop 3 coupling the grid to the inner conductor I (note Figs. 3 and 4). The direct connection between the grid terminals and the direct connection between the anode terminals for each vacuumtube reduces the lead inductances of grid and anode electrodes to a minimum, and reduces the deleterious effects of the lead impedances. The rear view of plate 2I is shown in Fig. 3 which illustrates how the wide ends .of the plate 2l make direct contact with the grid clips. The U-shaped loop 3 is completed by means of a metal plate 22 in direct contact with angle plate 2l but insulated from the end plate I9 by means of a mica spacer 23. Fig. v

4 shows in section a side view of grid loop 3 and its associated elements. The grid loop 3, in turn, is connected by a metal strip 24 to a filter can containing thereina choke coil l in series with the grid connection 2l (note Iilgs. 3 and 6) The sleeve or shield of the lter can, labeled Il', is in direct contact at one end with its associated metallic strip Il, and serves as the anode connection for supplying the anode of the vacuum tube with a positive polarizing potential. The sleeve Il is insulated from the terminals for the choke coil 9 and from the end plate Il and forms with the end plate a by-pass capacitor (labeled II in Fig. l). thus grounding the anode for radio frequency energy. It should be noted that the anode clips of each vacuum tube are directly mounted uponand are in direct contact with its associated strip Il, while the grid clips on the other hand do not contact strip I8.

The three filament leads for each vacuum tube extend from one end of the tube envelope and are inserted into individual prong clips 25, 2l forming an integral part of the filament metallic tuning loop I2. (Note Fig. 5.) These elements 25, 25 terminate in small metal segments 23, 2l which are insulated from each other and form low impedance by-pass capacitors with each other. The central segment 26 makes contact from a direct current standpoint both with the hollow metallic loop I2 and with that filament lead which extends to the center point of the filament. The outer segments connect with the legs of the nlament and with the heater wires I1 which are located in the interior of the hollow loop I2. The three segments 26, 26 form a caand grid prongs have individual clips mounted on pacity with' a stud 21, which is adjustable by a screw 2l (note Fig.l 4.). By adjusting screw 2l,

I am able to tune the filament leads so as to obtain the proper oscillating voltage. The loop I2 is mounted on a metallic stud 35 which isinsu-` latingly supported from the end plate II.

" For tuning the filament concentric line` 2, I2,l there is provided a metallic plate Ii' in. direct contact with cylinder Il and adjustable by knob 2l to vary the capacity between conductors 2 and I2. The plate I 5 is located at a high impedance point on the filament concentricv line where it hasa maximum effect.

The concentric line 2, I 3 extending from end' plate I t to end plate 30 is electrically one-nali` wavelength long at v,the operating frequency. It

will thus be seen that thel capacitor formed by plate II is located at a place where the current in the line is low and the impedance is high, f

while the filament loops I2 are locatedv at places mounted vonvv and around the peripheryof cylinwhere the current in the line isvhig'h, correspondl ing to a low impedance point.'

The inner conductor of concentric line I, 2 is' shown provided withy a metallic bellows." vand an Invar rod l2 `for maintaining the overall length of the inner conductor l substantially con--y stant with change in temperature. As is known.v the Invarrod has a low temperature coefficient of expansion characteristic. A knurled knob 23 and a spring arrangement enables adjustment in length of the inner conductor in either direc'- tion. The overall length of the inner conductor i including bcucws is made tc be eiectricauy sm-` tne escalation system tcv a symmetrically arrangedor balanced output circuit, the connecelevation view of any quarter of the complete- A mechanical construction, all quarters being alike. Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side `view of one-half ofvthenmechanical construction for` Fig. 7.' Fig. l1 shows one of the filament concentric lines of Flafrinuctau.

the.: individual fiia'ment .concentric "lines are A dricsil conductor 2,:the outer conductor II of v eachillament concentric-'line being supported at one-end `by end plate' Is' and'at another point in itslength by va supporting stud 4I. The three filament leads for each filament extending from one end of the vacuum tube are secured'at onev end of the filament concentric lineto individual proximately one-quarter of a wavelength long at the operating frequency. c

Fig. '1 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrate' ing a modification of the oscillation generation system of Fig. 1,- and differs from Fig. 1 mainly in the provision of individual tuned circuits for the filaments of the vacuum tubes.y .Instead of the V common concentric line 2,12 employed in Fig. l

for all ofthe vacuum tube fllaments there provided in Fig. 7 separatev low loss concentricy line resonators for the filaments of the tubes. 1

With this exception, the circuitand mechanical f f with that of Fig. l, and the same parts in both construction of Fig. 7 is substantiallyjidentical figures are labeled `with the same reference nufmerals.

metallic plates 26",' 28" by'screws It. Plates 20', 52|' areV insulated from each other andexcept 1 for' the centraLplate 25,. are also insulated from the inner conductor 3l. Thecentral plate 2l is directly connectedto the end of the inner conductor-SO. The outer plates 2l', 2i' are connectedjto the legs of the `nlarnent and also to the heater wires I1. t Theeilect of the mechani calarrangement of plates 2i', '2l' is toprovide capacitive paths vof extremely low impedance tol radiofrequency energy between the Aouter plates centric line the inner and outerconductors 3l .21 yare directlyconnected 'together and capacitively coupled .to the heater leads I1 toform by-pass condensers, as shown. lliemovabie slider ,3lin the interior' of fthe illament. concentric line y n may consist of (two pair .ofmetallic vsliding spring Each vacuum tube 4 of Fig. `i has its filament I tuned by means of a concentric/ line comprising an'inner tubular conductor and an outer grounded tubular conductor I1. the conductors being directly connected together at the end of f the line removed from the filament. Both conductors 2l, 31 are tuned by means of a slider 32 which contacts the outer surface of 2O yand the inner surface of l1 and is movable overthe lengths of these conductors. The heater leads I'I for the legs of the filament 'I extend within the interior of the inner conductor are' capacitiveiy coupled Ato the inner conductor ai'. the end of the line nearest the filament by means contacts S, VS Vwhichzfare electrically yconnected toa central disc-llkering R'contacting both con ductors of the line'. 'One or more screws I'I-pro- Jecting through slots in the outer conductor, are

vteil to adjust the positionlof the lmovable slider.

What isv claimed is:

1. An oscillation generation system comprising Il an electron discharge device having grid and anode eiectrodes'within an envelope. each of said electrodes being provided'with a plurality' of terminalprongs located externally of said lenvelope j and spaced apart by a'distance which is at least 60 one-half the shortest dimensionof said envelope,

of by-pass condensers 29, 3l andalso capacitive ly coupled to the outer conductor 21 at the end of the concentric line farthest away from the filament byby-passcondensers Il, Il, thusproviding pathsv of low impedance to these condire--y tors for energy ,of the operating frequency. v The a direct conductive connection between the grid y terminal prongs anda direct conductive connection between the anode lterminal prongs. said 'connections having individual` clips for said prongs, and a resonator circuit coupled to said connection from thel mid point of each filament extends directly to the end of the inner` conduc-V tor nearest the filament. e v

Output energy is derived from the oscillation generation system in any suitable fashion. preferably by a connection II to one of lthe filament Vconcentric lines, as shown. In order to couple connections for controlling the frequency'of op;

eration of said generator system. y

2. An oscillation generation system comprising Aan electron discharge device having grid and vanode electrodes within an envelope, each of said electrodes being provided with a plurality of terminal prongs located externally of said envelope and spaced apart by a distance which is at least one-half the shortest dimension of said envelope. a direct conductive connection having relatively Anlnspection of those figures will' show that I 2l', 2|' and thenearest endofthe inner conductor II.' At ythe other end of the lament-'conlarge surface area joining the grid terminal prongs externally oi the device and a direct conductive connection also having relatively large surface area joining the anode terminal prongs externally of the device, said connections having individual clips for said prongs. and a resonator circuit supporting said direct conductive connections and controlling the frequency oi operation of said generator system.

3. An oscillation generator system comprising an electron discharge -device having grid and anode electrodes within an envelope, each of said electrodes being provided with a plurality of terminal prongs located externally oi' said envelope and spaced apart by a distance which is at least one-half of the shortest dimension of said envelope, a illament for said device, a direct conductive connection having relatively large surface area joining the grid terminal prongs externally of the device and a direct conductive connection also having relatively large surface area joining the anode terminal prongs externally of the device, said connections having individual clips i'or said prongs, tuning means for said illament, and a resonator circuit supporting said direct conductive connections and controlling the frequency oi operation of said generator system.

4. An oscillation generator system comprising an electron discharge device having grid and anode electrodes within an envelope, each oi said electrodes being provided with a plurality of spaced terminal prongs extending from opposite sides of the envelope, a direct conductive connection between the grid terminal prongs and a direct conductive connection between the anode terminal prongs, said connections having individual clips for said prongs, and a resonator circuit coupled to said connections for controlling the frequency of operation of said generator system.

5. An oscillation generation system comprising a plurality of vacuum tubes, each having anode and grid electrodes within an envelope, each oi said electrodes being provided with a. plurality of spaced terminal prongs extending from diiferent portions o! the associated tube envelope, said prongs being spaced apart by a distance which is at least one-half of the shortest dimension oi said envelope, a direct conductive connection between the grid terminal prongs of each tube and a direct conductive connection between connections having individual clips for said prongs, a single resonator circuit coupled to said grid electrodes of said tubes for controlling the frequency oi operation thereoi.

6. An oscillation generation system comprising a plurality oi' vacuum tubes, each having cathode, anode and grid electrodes within an envelope, each of said anode and grid electrodes being provided with a plurality oi' spaced terminal prongs extending from diiierent portions of the associated tube envelope, said prongs being spaced apart by a distance which is at least onehali of the shortest dimension oi said envelope, a direct conductive connection between the grid terminal prongs of each tube and a direct conductive connection between the anode terminal prongs of each tube. said connections having individual clips ior said prongs, a sin-gie resonator circuit coupled to said grid electrodes of said tubes in electrically parallel relation for controlling the frequency oi operation thereof, and

- tuning means coupled to the cathodes of said vac- *the anode terminal prongs of each tube, said uum tubes.

7. In combination, an electron discharge device having grid and anode electrodes within an envelope, each of said electrodes being provided with a plurality oi spaced terminal prongs located externally of said envelope, said prongs being spaced apart by a distance which is at least one-hal! oi the shortest dimension of said envelope. a direct conductive connection external ly oi said envelope between said anode terminal prongs, and a direct conductive connection externally of said envelope between said grid terminal prongs, each oi said connections having individual clips for said prongs.

8. An oscillation generator system comprising an electron discharge device having grid and anode electrodes within an envelope, each of said electrodes being provided with a plurality of spaced terminal prongs extending from opposite sides of the envelope, a resonator circuit'ior controlling the frequency of operation oi said generator system, and means coupling said resonator circuit to said grid and anode electrodes, said means including individual clips for the plurality oi' terminal prongs for each electrode, said systern being so constructed and arranged that there is a direct conductive connection externally of the envelope oi said device between the terminal prongs for each electrode.

HALLAN EUGENE GOLDSTINE. 

